Phantoms can’t hold lead, fall 3-2

By JOHN KOVACH

kovach@vindy.com

YOUNGStown

The Youngstown Phantoms had a 2-1 lead over the Sioux City Musketeers with 12:14 left in their United States Hockey League game Saturday night at the Covelli Centre.

But the Phantoms, who were seeking to beat the Musketeers for the second straight night, wound up losing 3-2 after losing a 4-3 shootout Friday.

What happened?

It was a defensive breakdown.

After the Phantoms took the 2-1 lead on Jefferson Dahl’s goal, Sioux City erupted for two goals by Adam Schmidt and Mitch Zion within a brief span of 1:29 to take a 3-2 lead just four minutes later, and then hung on for the victory before an announced attendance of 1,913 fans.

Youngstown (17-33-3, 37 points, seventh in East), which has only four wins in 26 games in 2010, now will try to regroup on the road.

The Phantoms launch a three-game road trip this week at Omaha on Friday and Sioux City on Saturday at 8:05 p.m. and at Team USA March 26 at 7:05, before returning home for a single game March 27 against Team USA at 7:15 p.m.

Sioux City (21-23-8, 50 points, fifth in West) and Youngstown battled through a scoreless first period, even though the Musketeers had a 17-3 shots advantage.

Youngstown took a 1-0 lead on Brett Gensler’s power-play goal at 16:54 of the second period, with assists by Taylor Holstrom and Tim Serratore.

Gensler tapped in a 4-footer into an open net. It was Gensler’s 16th goal of the season which leads the team.

Sioux City tied it at 1 with four minutes left in the second on Nick Sorkin’s goal assisted by Dan Ford.

The Phantoms struck back for a 2-1 lead with 12:14 left in the third period on Dahl’s goal with assists from Ryan Jasinsky and Luke Eibler.

It was Dahl’s 15th goal, and he also has 21 assists to lead the team in scoring with 36 points.

But Schmidt connected with 9:38 left with assists from Stephan Vigier and Nick Sorkin to tie it at 2-2. Then Zion found he net shortly after at 8:09 with assists from Tommy Olczyk and Matt Paape for the 3-2 lead.

Phantoms goalie Jordan Tibbett had 44 saves. Sioux City goalie Jake Hildebrand had 28 saves. The Musketeers had a 47-30 shots advantage, giving them 98 shots for the two-game series.